I bought a 2200 watt surge power 120/240 v generator not knowing that the full amperage of the generator (15amp) was not availible in 120v. Only 7.5 is availible, albeit you have two 7.5 amp circuits availible if you use one half of the 240 four prong outlet.
I would like to convert this generator to 120v only by combining the the windings in parallel. This would allow me to run a 15 amp load at 1800 watts. Ive been told to do this the two windings must be in phase to work properly. Can someone tell what this means and how I can check if the windings in my generator are in fact in phase? Thanks!

 

I mean, this is a two-phase generator, same as the power-line in USA. In this country the hi-power machines - like dryer, etc - heater designed for 220V and connected between the two phase, the smaller connected to neutral (common) and phase (120V). The two phase have 90grad shift (as i know).

 

Originally posted by kneisl1@Sep 26 2005, 12:38 AM
I bought a 2200 watt surge power 120/240 v generator not knowing that the full amperage of the generator (15amp) was not availible in 120v. Only 7.5 is availible, albeit you have two 7.5 amp circuits availible if you use one half of the 240 four prong outlet.
I would like to convert this generator to 120v only by combining the the windings in parallel. This would allow me to run a 15 amp load at 1800 watts. Ive been told to do this the two windings must be in phase to work properly. Can someone tell what this means and how I can check if the windings in my generator are in fact in phase? Thanks!

[post=10601]Quoted post[/post]​

You may have separate 110V and 220V windings, but it is more likely that there are two similar windings connected in series, giving 2 x 110v or 1 x 220v. In any event, they can be connected in parallel.

Assume the wings are A to B and C to D, then B and C will be connected.
Break that connection and connect A to C for one pole and B to D for the other.

 

Yes there are two windings which are currently hooked up to give one 220v circuit and one 120v circuit. The problem is I only have use for 120v. Its possible to get two 900 watt 120v services out of it, but i would like to real;ize the full 1800 watts into a 15 amp load. Thanks to your help Im on my way to doing this.


You may have separate 110V and 220V windings, but it is more likely that there are two similar windings connected in series, giving 2 x 110v or 1 x 220v. In any event, they can be connected in parallel.

Assume the wings are A to B and C to D, then B and C will be connected.
Break that connection and connect A to C for one pole and B to D for the other.

[post=10608]Quoted post[/post]​

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Be careful: first connect only A to C, start the engine and test the voltage between B and D with check-bulb.